The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.
The deciding factor: The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the requirements for additional SMC based on the need for aid and attendance, as they do not prevent natural elbow action with a prosthesis in place or result in anatomical loss of both arms at a level preventing use of a prosthetic appliance.
- Claimed conditions
- amputation of both arms below the elbow, left tibia and fibula fracture residuals, left femur fracture residuals with left knee arthritis
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 38%
- Decision date
- October 31, 2019
- Citation
- 19182606
What this means for you
A denial is a starting point, not the end of the road. You can see why this claim fell short — and, if you are still inside the one-year window, the appeal lanes that may remain open to you.
What you can do next
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